Archive for 2022

The Run Salem 5K/10K and Healthy Dent County Color Run is this Saturday with over 150 participants from 23 different communities including a family from Illinois to help raise funds for a future trail system in our community, and to have a family fun event in Salem. The only thing more fun than running may be going as a spectator. Spectators are most needed on Fourth Street near the Start/Finish Line near Highway 19. The 5K and 10K runs will start at 8:00 in the morning while the Color Run starts at 10:00 in the morning next to the Dent County Courthouse. The enthusiasm from spectators, whether it’s expressed verbally or through encouraging signs, can help runners fight off fatigue and stay motivated. If you are watching, it’s important to stay off the road and sidewalk that is the course route. Also, please be respectful of neighbors and businesses by not leaving behind any cheer items or trash. For those driving through Salem on Saturday, expect delays at some points along the 5K/10K route on Highway 19 and Highway 32-72 as well as Routes HH and J to allow runners to safely cross those highways. Please be aware of street closures in downtown. These streets will be closed from 6:30 in the morning until 12:00 noon on race day: West 4th Street from Washington Street to Highway 19, East 4th Street from Highway 19 to Iron Street and the eastbound lane of East 4th Street eastbound lane will be closed from Iron to Pershing. KSMO Media will livestream the entire event on the KSMO Stream Facebook page, the KSMO YouTube page and at ksmoradio.com. The stream will feature live coverage of the race as well as local interviews with race organizers, runners and community leaders. You can still participate in the 5K, 10K and Color Run! You can register at runsalemmo.com today or you can register in person at the Bank of Salem Courtesy Room located at 100 W. Fourth Street on Friday afternoon from 4:00 to 6:00 or on Saturday morning from 7:00 to 7:45. For more information on this event, please visit runsalemmo.com.

In a press release by the Dent County Prosecutor’s Office, Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Curley released the verdict of the sentencing hearing held this past Monday by Judge Pelikan for 54-year-old Marvin Rice of Salem and the events leading up to the hearing. On December 11th, 2011, Marvin Rice was arrested and charged with the murder of Annette Durham and Stephen Strotkamp. The charge was filed by then Dent County Prosecutor Sidney T. Pearson, who requested the assistance of the Missouri Attorney General and filed a notice of intent to pursue the death penalty. After a week of jury selection and another week of trial in August of 2017, the jury found the defendant guilty of Murder in the 1st degree of Annette Durham and Murder in the 2nd degree of Stephen Strotkamp. The jury was unable to agree as to one of the two possibilities of punishment. The two options available were life without parole or the death sentence. A sentencing hearing was scheduled later that year and Judge Kelly Parker sentenced the defendant to death in Count 1 and life without parole in Count 2. The Missouri Supreme Court later overturned the sentence of death in Count 1 but affirmed the conviction. The case was then remanded back to the trial court for a new trial for the sentencing phase only on Count 1, due to a statement made by the Assistant Attorney General during oral argument. In March through April this year, a week of jury selection was conducted and once selected, another week of trial was conducted for the sentencing of Rice. St. Charles County Judge Daniel Pelikan presided over the preceding as Judge Parker had retired. At the conclusion of the preceding, the jury unanimously agreed that a sentence of death was warranted and presented the verdict to the judge. This past Monday, a sentencing hearing was conducted to determine if the Judge was going to accept the verdict or render a sentence of life without parole. Missouri Supreme Court Rule 29.05 provides that in every criminal case, “the court shall have power to reduce the punishment within the statutory limits prescribed for the offense if it finds that the punishment is excessive.” A judge can reduce a sentence but can never increase the verdict of the jury. At the conclusion of the hearing Judge Pelikan ordered a sentence of life without parole.

Memorial Day weekend is a highly anticipated opportunity for people to enjoy Missouri’s state parks, lakes, sporting events, and attractions. This means more travelers on Missouri’s roadways and an increase in boating traffic on the state’s lakes and rivers. Drivers and boat operators are reminded to follow all Missouri’s laws and be courteous. Safety should always be part of your weekend plans. If you are driving, always wear a seat belt when traveling in a vehicle. This year’s Memorial Day holiday counting period begins at 6:00 Friday through Monday night, May 30th, at 11:59. The Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) during Memorial Day weekend. Troopers will focus their attention on hazardous moving violations, speed violations, and impaired drivers. Every available trooper will be on the road enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists. Over the 2021 Memorial Day holiday weekend, 10 people died and 442 were injured in 1,017 traffic crashes. Motorists in need of assistance or who want to report a crime should use the Highway Patrol’s Emergency Assistance number 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. For road condition reports, travelers can visit the Patrol’s website at www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov.

Dr. Kyle Ouzts of the Dent County Veterinary Clinic in Salem will be hosting a live fifteen-minute radio call in show TODAY at 1:00 on KSMO Radio 1340 AM and 95.7 FM as well as online at ksmoradio.com. Dr. Ouzts will talk about pet safety in the summer, hydration, fleas and ticks and other things that could affect the health of your furry friends. Call Dr. Ouzts with questions starting at 1:00 at 573-729-6659.

The Dent County Commissioners held a meeting Monday morning at the courthouse. Grant Wilson from Representative Jason Smith’s office in Rolla was in attendance and talked with the commissioners about the redistricting map that was passed. In the new redistricting map, District 8 lost Crawford and Washington counties and picked up more of Jefferson County up to the Meramec River on the east side of Interstate 55 including Arnold, Festus and Hillsboro. In the road report District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray indicated materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 5170, 6440 and 6470 while only grading would be done on county road 5510. He said brush would be cut on county road 2470 and Mobray said he received a petition to set the speed limit at 30 MPH on county road 6040. He went on to say that ten trees were blown down from the storms last week that had to be removed from or were near county roads. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 5300 while only grading would be done on county roads 2120, 4050, 4055 and 4405. Larson stated materials would be added to Dent County Road 2130 and brush would be cut on county road 4330. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles wanted to thank the City of Salem and the Intercounty Electric for restoring power quickly after last week’s storms. He also said he as well as the other commissioners may be attending the IDA Board meeting Wednesday at 6:00. At the last meeting, the commission approved the low bid for diesel fuel from Phil-Mart for $4.05 per gallon for 7,465 gallons. The commission also approved replacing the old 9-1-1 console equipment and installing a new 9-1-1 console and related equipment for $100,687.40 as well as support for the new 9-1-1 console for $23.831.20. The equipment and support were state bids and came from A+W Communications, Inc. This will be paid for out of ARPA funds. The next meeting of the Dent County Commission will be Thursday morning at 9:00 and the meeting is open to the public.

On Thursday afternoon, May 19th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, the Hero’s Marathon Committee presented awards and proceeds from the 2021 marathon totaling $25,000 to various veteran’s organizations. The first award presented was the Founders’ Award, named after the founder of the marathon, Bob Gravely. This award went to Representative Ron Copeland for his work in getting flags placed along the Highway 72 marathon route. The Water Station Award went to Boy Scout Troop 185 with Ozark Trail District Boy Scout Coordinator LeRoy Maurer accepting the award. Other water station winners were Team Pickleball, the Salem City of Peach Garden Club, Salem Memorial District Hospital, the Shrine Club of Rolla and the MS&T Student Veteran Resource Association. Checks were presented to the Dent County Veteran’s Emergency Fund with American Legion member Marvin Wofford accepting the check; to the VFW Post 6280 with Commander Eric Surles and Tod Kinerk accepting; and to the American Legion Post 99 Auxiliary with Barb Medlock accepting. Phelps County agencies receiving donations included the Assistance League for the Missouri Veteran’s Home, the VFW Post 2025 and the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Rolla. Pulaski County agencies receiving donations included the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 49, the Mid Missouri Chapter of the Association of the United States Army; the Army Emergency Relief Fund of Ft. Leonard Wood, the Dixon VFW and the Crocker VFW. The 2022 Hero’s Marathon will be held on Saturday, November 19th.

On May 16th, 49-year-old Leon Barnes of Springfield, pled guilty to felony counts of making a materially false statement to a federal law enforcement officer and resisting arrest during an interaction with park rangers at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. According to court documents, on July 13th of 2021, National Park Service law enforcement rangers were investigating and clearing an illegal campsite near the Pulltite section of the park when they were approached by Barnes who stated some of the items belonged to him. When Barnes was asked for identification, he provided law enforcement rangers with a fictitious name, date of birth, and social security number. Barnes then quickly accelerated his vehicle and drove away. A pursuit ensued with Barnes traveling nearly 30 miles before surrendering. It was then determined that Barnes had an active warrant for his arrest, and he admitted providing false identification because he was aware of the outstanding warrant. Barnes was sentenced to 54 and 48 months imprisonment, respectively, in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The prison terms will run concurrently and be followed by a term of two years intensive supervised release. The National Park Service law enforcement rangers were assisted in the pursuit and investigation by members of the Dent County Sheriff’s Office.

An accident happened in Washington County Sunday afternoon at 3:40 on Highway 185 north of Isert Road. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan driven northbound by 68-year-old Mike Rhodes of Steelville, traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a utility pole. Rhodes suffered minor injuries and was taken to the Washington County Memorial Hospital by the Washington County Ambulance. Rhodes was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Dodge was totaled and removed from the scene by Elliott Motors.

The Salem Board of Aldermen will hold their regular meeting this evening at 6:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. After the consent agenda, the board will hear Resolution #17-2022 that would authorize the mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and the Department of Health and Senior Services for the purpose of sewer shed disease trend monitoring; and hear Resolution 18-2022 that would authorize the filing of an application with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Financial Assistance Center’s state ARPA Grant programs for a sub award for the completion of the lead service line inventory or a drinking water, wastewater or storm water project. The board will then amend their approval of a new truck for the Park and Recreation Department. In bids, the board will go over received request of qualifications for the Professional Engineering Services. The board will hear reports from City Administrator Ray Walden, Mayor Greg Parker, Public Works Director Mark Nash, Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge, Park and Recreation Director Melissa Dubois and from each individual alderman. The board may go into closed session to discuss contracts before the meeting adjourns. The Salem Board of Aldermen meeting is open to the public.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting Thursday evening at the District Administrative Offices. After a closed session dealing with a student discipline issue, Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed discussed legislative issues with the board that she expects the governor to sign. These include the new minimum teacher’s salary and how it will affect the budget. She will go over the issues in more detail once the governor signs them into law. After the school principals gave their reports, the board approved the meal prices at the high school for the 2022-2023 year as students in Elementary, Upper Elementary and Middle School will receive free lunches. They also approved the lease of $12,600 for the Dent County Developmental Preschool that is reimbursed by the state and approved the annual contribution of $10,000 to Healthy Dent County. Dr. Reed said the school district could go back five years to make donations to Fund 4 from Fund 1 for any of the years the district did not opt to at the time. She said from the 2018-19 school year, they could allocate $282,332 from Fund 1 to Fund 4 and from the year 2019-2020, the school could transfer $531,203. This money will be used to pay for the HVAC and roofing projects currently contracted through Energy Solutions Professionals for the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years. The board approved the transfer, then approved a request for the Vo-Ag Department to take an out-of-state trip in the fall of 2022. The board approved the gym wall pad bid from State Farm Insurance for the stage end of the gym for $6,500 and accepted the full wall pad bid from Progressive Ozark Bank for $7,800. Superintendent Reed said she tried to get in touch with Corky Stack to get an idea how much it would cost to develop detailed plans for the construction trades building but did not hear back from him before the meeting. City of Salem Economic Development Director Sally Burbridge explained to the board that time is running out on the Workforce Training Program awarded to the school and the City of Salem. This program featured $438,000 of Youth Opportunity Tax Credits through the school that taxpayers can purchase and get a 50% tax credit off their state income tax, and a CDBG grant through the city of $500,000 that can be used once the monies raised from the sale of the tax credits is spent on the building project. The sale of the tax credits has only raised about $57,000 and those sales come to an end September 30th. Burbridge explained that if the school would fall short, they can get a 10-year loan from Community Foundation of the Ozarks for about $400,000 at 3.25% which would mean the school would be responsible for a $3,909 per month payment. Reed then went through the Fund 4 balances as well as expected revenues and expenses. Her assessment, based on a number of estimates, shows there are not enough funds for the repairs, the Construction Trades Building, the Tin Gym Project and the expected bond issue for a new elementary school. She said there are a number of financing options that ESP can look into, plus they can look into local financing as well. The board was not comfortable committing to any financing without seeing how the projects can be paid for, what needs to be financed and how it would affect future school expansion. The board approved a resolution to have ESP solicit bids for financing rates and amounts from local banks. They also tabled making any decisions on any type of financing until after a budget workshop is held where all options can be discussed, analyzed and calculated where paybacks can be accurately determined. The budget workshop will be held on June 2nd at 6:00 and the board approved moving the June regular meeting moved back to June 23rd at 6:00. The board accepted the resignations of Middle School Special Ed instructor Rich Beckett; and middle school physical education instructor, golf coach and assistant football coach Kyle Anderson. The board also approved a leave of absence for Middle School Principal Rich Parks to re-enter the military on October 1st for a one or two-year tour. The board then went into closed session where they employed Jennifer Fleener and Rebecca Hayes as 5th grade teachers, Jerry Adkins as the 9th grade boys’ basketball coach, and Jared Patterson as the varsity boys basketball coach. The board also approved the band stipend and extended days for Gannon Craig as well as extended days for Dalton Sanders in Vo-Ag. The board meeting was then adjourned.

The City of Salem’s Utilities Committee will hold a meeting tonight at 7:15 at the Salem Community Center@the Armory. The committee will get updated on year-to-date projects, go over financials and planned projects, and go over expenses for the next year. The committee will review utility rates which will include basic rates, service availability fees and upcoming auto-adjustment for electric rates pending no board action. The committee will review sample bills with different layouts and get updated on the Exceleron Prepay Project. The meeting is open to the public.

An accident happened on Highway 49 about a mile south of Viburnum in Iron County Saturday evening at 7:20. According to the highway patrol report, 50-year-old Shawn Barton of Salem was driving a 2004 Dodge 1500 southbound when he ran off the right side of the road and he struck a road sign and two trees. Barton suffered minor injuries and taken by ambulance to the Salem Memorial District Hospital. He was not wearing a seat restraint. The Dodge was totaled and was removed from the scene by Blackies Auto.